Throughout the accounts of the Seventeenth-century witch trials in Europe and North America, only physical characteristics were considered indisputable evidence of witchcraft. The belief was that the devil marked the bodies of witches with symbolic, material marks – comparable to abnormal growths or scars. This became the norm. Physical examination The discovery of such marks at witch trials was considered strong medical and scientific evidence of witchcraft and infrequently sealed the victim's fate.
Here are only a few of the physical characteristics that were historically used to label someone a witch.
are you a girl
While men were sometimes accused of witchcraft, historical witch hunts. Women are heavily targeted. – especially women who led an independent lifestyle (comparable to widows and spinsters) or who were outspoken and didn't conform to societal norms. Historians estimate that. More than 75 percent of these accused In the sixteenth and Seventeenth centuries there have been women in witchcraft.
The religious teachings of the time reinforced the concept that women were morally weak and due to this fact More susceptible to temptation and sin.
By this standard, when you discover as a girl today, you might be one among about 3.95 billion potential “witches.”
How old are you?
Age was one other think about the witch trials. Older womenEspecially those that were past child bearing age. Often suspected of witchcraft – especially if she was widowed, owned property or lived alone.
Records show that between 1563-1736 greater than half of the people in Scotland were accused of witchcraft. Above 40 years of age. Average life expectancy at the moment. 32 years old.
Today, with about 1.4 billion women More than 40 globallyand lots of would have found themselves in similar doubt by historical standards.
Do you might have an additional nipple?
“Witch's Tet” was a typical trait utilized by witch hunters to discover someone as a witch. This extra nipple was regarded as utilized by witches to tame so-called demonic familiars – often believed to be so. Small animals or imps. Witch hunters will examine the chest or torso for any irregularities. Classify it as a witch's beak..
the truth is, Abnormal nipples (or polythelia) are benign. They form during early fetal development and don't disappear completely in some people.
Another feature that was sometimes mistaken for an abnormal teat was the clitoris. Historical accounts suggest that ladies were sometimes punished based on the dimensions of this body part. Pamphlets of the time, describing the technique of identifying “witches' butts,” often mention A small spread Located near the girl's “base” or “private place” – euphemism for the feminine genitalia.
It is estimated. about 5% At least one on the earth's population has an additional nipple. They appear more often on the left side of the chest and are more common in men. Harry Styles, who has spoken out Four nippleswould probably have been less inclined to share this detail about themselves within the Seventeenth century.
Do you might have a birthmark?
In the Seventeenth century any type of birthmark or skin discoloration might be labeled as a “devil's mark”. Matthew Hopkins, the infamous “witch finder general”, is imagined to be. An unusual placeA freckle or birthmark symbol a A deal with the devil. Witch hunters often prick these marks with pins, believing that a real devil mark cannot bleed or cause pain.
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About 80 percent of people Some are born with today The shape of the birthmark – making it a surprisingly common trait for so-called witches.
Pigmented birthmarks, comparable to moles or café au lait spots (flat, light-colored birthmarks) result. Clusters of pigmented cells which is formed during development. Vascular types, comparable to port-wine stains (that are flat and red or purple in color) are brought on by damage to the small blood vessels near the surface of the skin. Port wine stains birthmarks appear in just 0.3% of babies – but are It is twice as likely to occur in girls..
Do you might have a mole or skin tag?
Moles and skin tags were also possibly observed. Marks of Satan. Witch hunters also tested moles by attempting to bite or prick them. Like birthmarks, in the event that they didn't bleed, it meant it was an individual. Thought about being a witch.
Today, we all know that moles are easy Clusters of pigment cellsWhile skin tags are small, harmless growths that form at this point. The skin rubs against itself. Yet within the Seventeenth century, these innocent symbols spelled disaster.
Do you might have an additional digit?
Polydactyly, or having an additional finger or toe, was one other rare but suspicious trait. An extra digit was seen as a supernatural deviation – alleged to boost a witch's powers. A “gift” from Satan.
In fact, polydactyly is a harmless genetic mutation – almost at all times affecting. One in every 500-1000 births. But previously, this rare trait held those that possessed it under scrutiny. Witch-hunting societies.
Do you might have red hair?
Red hair, an unusual trait, was considered ominous in some regions. Especially Europe. Some theories suggest the rarity of red hair and its association with fiery or pagan ancestry contributed to its infamy.. The infamous Malleus Maleficarum (“Witches' Hammer”), a 1468 treatise on witchcraft, Redheads were warned about as potential witches.linking them to “seductive powers” and “wild spirits”.
today, Less than 2% About one on the earth's population has red hair – although only about 6% of individuals have some red hair genetics. But within the Seventeenth century, this unusual trait could have raised suspicions that somebody was a witch.
So are you a witch?
If you didn't have any of those traits, you would possibly have been spared the early modern witch hunts. But when you had a minimum of one among these physical characteristics, you would possibly have had suspicions against you.
Fortunately, all of Britain's witches were acts. Abolished in 1951. – which implies these normal features are actually just physical quirks and nothing else.